Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 31: Drinking water shortages, unreliable power supply, healthcare access and inter-island connectivity featured prominently in a series of development announcements made by Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dinesh Sharma during a public hearing in Sri Vijaya Puram on October 30. The announcements included plans for additional water storage, a 50 MW LNG-based power plant, a proposed 500-bed hospital and free helicopter travel for Nicobari tribal patients requiring treatment in Sri Vijaya Puram. The programme also saw directions for time-bound grievance redressal and regular public hearings at the district level.
Addressing the Janta Darshan at Lok Niwas, Dr. Sharma announced that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) would be prepared for check dams at Guptapara and Burma Nallah to address drinking water shortages. The proposed structures are expected to create an additional storage capacity of 13,000 million litres. He also announced that NTPC would establish a 50 MW LNG-based power plant at Hope Town by 2029, while rooftop solar systems would be installed in 11,618 households under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana.
On road connectivity, a 40–60 km stretch of NH-4 is expected to become motorable by February 2027. Cochin Shipyard will provide a new vessel with capacity for 700 passengers and 1,300 tonnes of cargo within two years. A bus for Campbell Bay is expected by the end of November 2026.
Healthcare announcements included in-principle approval for a 500-bed hospital estimated to cost ₹170 crore, upgradation of MRI and ICU facilities at G.B. Pant Hospital and expedited construction of a 50-bed Critical Care Block at Garacharma, where the operation theatre facility is also to commence. Under Ayushman Bharat, ship tickets for critically ill patients requiring stretcher facilities will be made available before travel. Free helicopter transportation, including one attendant, was also announced for Nicobari tribal patients travelling from Nicobar to Sri Vijaya Puram.
The Lieutenant Governor announced compensation of up to ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of people killed in government bus accidents and up to ₹1 lakh for those sustaining grievous injuries under the Central Government’s Interim Relief Scheme, 2026. He also said legal efforts would be made to seek withdrawal of cases against 51 people booked following a protest over the death of a fisherwoman.
Fuel transportation and storage also featured in the announcements. Transportation of petrol and diesel through MT IRIS has commenced, while a dedicated LPG vessel is expected by February 2027. This is expected to increase fuel storage capacity from 16 days to 90 days.
Among social welfare measures, an 84-bed working women’s hostel at Rangat will become operational shortly, while an old-age home has been approved for Diglipur. Anganwadi centres are to receive toys within three months.
The administration has released ₹144.13 crore to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions, with another ₹30.05 crore due shortly. Eighteen gram panchayat development works worth approximately ₹8 crore have been approved, while ₹18 crore has been sanctioned for the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council.
Tourism-related measures include a light and sound show at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island within two months, approved safety procedures for fun rides at Elephant Beach and other destinations, and five e-carts each at the jetties of Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep from the first week of November. The homestay policy has also been relaxed by increasing the permissible room limit from six to eight and removing the requirement for owners to reside on the premises.
During the public hearing, Dr. Sharma took up individual complaints concerning healthcare, education, drinking water, electricity and land. He directed the concerned departmental secretaries and senior officers to act on the grievances. He also announced immediate financial assistance of ₹1 lakh for a mother seeking treatment for her seriously ill son. Following a complaint about alleged narcotics activity along Seashore Road towards Fishermen Village at Dairy Farm, he directed the police to conduct raids and take action.
Dr. Sharma directed that district-level public hearings be held every 15 days or at least once a month, with departments expected to resolve issues locally rather than refer matters unnecessarily to higher authorities.
Other announcements included simplified driving licence procedures, with licences to be delivered to applicants’ registered addresses, and a proposal to fill Group-C posts through compassionate appointments for dependants of deceased government employees. The tender for Science Block-A at ANIIMS has been awarded, while faculty promotions at DBRAIT remain under consideration. A land allotment proposal for community development at Brindavan village is also being evaluated.
The programme also included an interaction with political party representatives and public representatives. Dr. Sharma subsequently distributed appointment letters to selected Forest Ranger candidates under the Department of Environment and Forests. Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray attended the programme.
